Latest news with #Rene
The Citizen
a day ago
- General
- The Citizen
Magoebaskloof explosion: Woman recounts her ‘war zone' experience
TZANEEN – Rene Viljoen, the Programme Coordinator at Warriors Academy, will never forget how the sound of explosions jolted her awake, and the mountain was lit up in flames. In the early hours of this morning, she was awoken by what she described as the sound of an 'attack in a war zone,' only to discover that a truck carrying gas cylinders had exploded above Magoebaskloof Ruskamp, triggering a forest fire and a string of thunderous blasts that rocked the area. Read more: R71 remains closed after early morning gas explosion in Magoebaskloof Rene, terrifyingly close to the scene, described how the forest came 'alive with fire,' each blast illuminating the darkness like a signal flare. With adrenaline surging and sleep impossible, she joined others in watching the inferno unfold. 'I was afraid of a forest fire that could get out of control,' she wrote in a Facebook post just hours later, still reeling from the chaos. The fear was not unfounded. The explosion closed the R71 and sent flames racing down the mountainside, dangerously close to Warriors Camp. 'I am not sure what happened, and I hope the driver escaped,' she added. Later information revealed that the driver had managed to get away without injury. Emergency services – Letaba Fire Protection Association, Tzaneen Fire Brigade, SARZA Limpopo, Disaster Management and the Tzaneen Emergency Support Team – descended on the area swiftly, battling both flames and treacherous terrain. By 04:30, teams were still working to contain the blaze. But accessing the actual site of the explosion remained too risky. Staff from Warriors Camp rushed toward the scene despite not knowing the extent of the danger. 'They ran to assist, not knowing what they were heading to,' Rene said. Others stayed back, preparing spray cans and water to defend their homes against the advancing fire. By morning, the flames had subsided, replaced by the blinking lights of emergency crews. But for Rene, the emotional fire still raged. 'I'm sure I'll crash and fall asleep this afternoon,' she said. 'Just too much adrenaline released. Survival instinct.' Local WhatsApp groups say that the driver lost control of the truck when the brakes failed. Authorities have since confirmed that the R71 will remain closed until further notice as investigations continue, but one thing is clear: for those who witnessed the devastation up close it was hours of fire and fear, but also courage. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Sara Duterte urges alias Rene to file charges after recanting
Vice President Sara Duterte has called on former Senate witness Michael Maurillo or alias Rene to file charges after he claimed that he was influenced to testify against her, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy. The Vice President made the remark Tuesday when asked in an interview in The Hague, Netherlands about her reaction that alias Rene took back his testimony against them. "That is a very serious accusation and it should be answered clearly kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari (to get to the bottom of things)," Duterte said. "Kung sa tingin ni alias Rene na dapat siya ay dapat mag-file din ng kaso, ay dapat na gawin niya din 'yun para nasasabi niya 'yung totoo sa loob ng korte at nakakasagot din ang maayos 'yung mga akusado sa loob din ng korte," she added. (If alias Rene thinks that he should also file a case, then he should do that so that he can tell the truth in court and the accused can also answer the charges properly.) Before his recantation, Rene testified before the Senate committee chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros that he witnessed the Dutertes carrying firearms from Quiboloy's property. Hontiveros on Wednesday filed separate cyber libel complaints with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against a lawyer, five social media personalities, and alias Rene. This came Rene, in a video posted on Facebook, alleged that he was paid by Hontiveros to speak lies against Quiboloy and the Dutertes. The senator, in return, called the video "fake news" and "witness tampering" as she asserted that the former Senate witness was not coerced to testify in the hearing. Sara also alleged that Rene had interactions with supposed witnesses in the case of her father Rodrigo before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. "Nabasa ko na 'yung affidavit niya bago pa man siya lumabas publicly. In fact, mayroong mga nakalagay doon na nakasama niya ang mga witnesses kuno ng ICC doon sa isang bahay kung saan siya pinatira ni Senator Hontiveros," she said. (I have read his affidavit even before he went public. In fact, there were some things written there, that he was put in a house with the supposed witnesses of the ICC, by Senator Hontiveros.) She also said the alleged false testimony should be a cause of concern. "In fact, sinabihan ko din ang lawyer ni President Duterte noon na mayroon nga gan'un na statement 'yung witness against Pastor Quiboloy na ngayon ay nagsasabi na hindi totoo 'yung mga sinabi niya. Sinabi niya na nakasama niya sa tirahan ang mga witnesses ng ICC," Duterte added. (In fact, I also told President Duterte's lawyer that the witness against Pastor Quiboloy had made such a statement and now he is saying that what he said was not true. He said the ICC witnesses were with him in a house.) Last week, Hontiveros filed a complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Rene and the Pagtanggol Valiente social media account, which posted his videos. She also asked the NBI to investigate the individuals behind Pagtanggol Valiente, noting that it was created on the day after Maurillo's last message to the senator's camp asking for help, as well as other vloggers. Curious Risa Meanwhile, Hontiveros questioned how the Vice President got hold of Rene's affidavit before his video was published on social media. "I am also very very curious kung paano nakuha ni VP Sara ang salaysay ni Michael ahead of his fake news video (I am also very very curious how VP Sara got a copy of Michael's ahead of his fake news video)," the senator said in a statement. She also maintained her stance that the claims Rene made in a video were lies. "I stand by the statements I made earlier na pawang kasinungalingan ang nasa video (I stand by statements I made earlier that everything claimed in the video is false). If Michael has executed a new affidavit containing lies about me and the victim survivors of Quiboloy, then in my opinion this opens him up to perjury in addition to the case I filed today," Hontiveros added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Morocco World
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Fluminense vs Chelsea: Preview & Score Prediction
Chelsea are two wins away from lifting the FIFA Club World Cup title once more — but must first get past a Fluminense side in Tuesday's semifinal at MetLife Stadium. Kick-off is at 8 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1), and fans can catch the action live for free on the DAZN website and app. Enzo Maresca's men haven't had it easy in the knockout rounds. After a second-place finish in Group D – behind Flamengo – they needed extra time to see off Benfica 4–1 in the last 16 before narrowly defeating Palmeiras 2–1 in the quarterfinals, thanks to a late winner. While their performances have hardly dazzled, Chelsea have proven adept at winning the hard way. The Blues, winners of the 2021 edition, will be without suspended duo Levi Colwill and Liam Delap, while Reece James and Romeo Lavia remain in doubt. Nicolas Jackson is expected to return to the starting XI, while João Pedro – who impressed off the bench against Palmeiras – could earn his first start for the club. Moisés Caicedo, having served his suspension, will slot back into midfield alongside Enzo Fernández. Fluminense, on the other hand, continue their dream run. Unbeaten throughout the tournament, they finished second in Group F before knocking out Inter Milan and putting an end to Al Hilal's fairytale campaign in the quarterfinals. Despite entering the tournament without much fanfare – and flirting with relegation domestically last year – they've emerged as the tournament's surprise package. Thiago Silva, the 40-year-old former Chelsea captain, will marshal the backline with, while Colombian winger Jhon Arias remains their main creative outlet and counter-attacking spark. Fluminense will, however, be without suspended center-back Juan Pablo Freytes and midfield engine Matheus Martinelli – both of whom played key roles in the knockout wins. Gabriel Fuentes may be pushed further upfield, with Hércules stepping into the midfield. Left-back Rene returns from suspension and should start. The Brazilians have quietly become the tournament's most efficient defensive unit, conceding very little and striking with speed on the counter. Yet Chelsea's knack for grinding out wins may prove decisive. Possible lineups: Fluminense: Fabio – Ignacio, Silva, Rene – Xavier, Hercules, Bernal, Nonato, Fuentes – Arias, Cano Chelsea: Sanchez – Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella – Fernandez, Caicedo – Neto, Palmer, Nkunku – Pedro Score Prediction: It's unlikely to be a classic, but the Blues should just about squeeze through. MWN says Fluminense 1–2 Chelsea
GMA Network
30-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Hontiveros to file NBI complaint vs people behind alyas Rene video
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday said her legal team will file a complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against those behind the circulating video of a man who claimed that he was influenced to testify against detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Hontiveros was referring to the video of Michael Maurilio or alias "Rene," who alleged that he was paid by the lawmaker to speak lies against Quiboloy, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Vice President Sara Duterte during a hearing of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality. The senator, in return, called the video 'fake news' and 'witness tampering' as she presented proof in a press conference that alias Rene was not coerced to testify against Quiboloy and the Dutertes. Senator Risa Hontiveros says that her legal team will file a complaint before the NBI against people behind the video of alias 'Rene:' 'Sa mga nasa likod ng video na ito, you have crossed a line. Sobra na kayo.' @gmanews — Giselle Ombay (@giselleombay_) June 30, 2025 'Sa mga nasa likod ng video na ito, you have crossed the line. Sobra na kayo. Dahil doon (To those behind this video, you have crossed the line. This is too much. Because of this), I have consulted with my legal team and on Wednesday, we will file a complaint before the NBI and seek their assistance in investigating the people responsible for this video, and those systematically circulating it in their disinformation networks,' the senator said. 'This is only step one and we will take further decisive action, including the filing of criminal complaints. Para sa mga testigo at biktima, at para sa Senado, maniningil kami ng hustisya,' she added. (We will demand justice for the witnesses and victims, and for the Senate.) In February last year, a man identified as alias Rene was presented as a witness in the Senate committee hearing chaired by Hontiveros on the alleged abuses of the Quiboloy-led religious group, Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC). The man claimed that Quiboloy hurt him, and that he was sexually abused by several KOJC members. Moreover, he said he witnessed Rodrigo and Sara Duterte carrying firearms when they visited Quiboloy. The Davao City-based religious leader is currently detained at Pasig City Jail. He is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, He is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Hoax threats, Air India crash link: Inside techie's revenge plot for unrequited love
Unrequited love, vengeance and a big cyber crime bust - A senior consultant, Rene Joshilda, used her technical skills to frame the man who rejected her and married someone else. The wreckage of the crashed Air India plane. (Source: HT)(Raju Shinde/HT Photo) Using anonymous accounts, Rene sent numerous hoax bomb emails, including one to the medical college on whose hostel building the ill-fated AI-171 crashed on June 13. However, a small slip-up led to her arrest in Chennai. Rene Joshilda is an engineer trained in Robotics, and had been working as a senior consultant at Deloitte in Chennai since 2022. She was in love with one Divij Prabhakar, but he never reciprocated. Rene dreamt she would one day marry Divij, but was left shattered when he married someone else. Blinded by the will to take revenge, Rene decided to use her technical knowledge to spread panic with hoax bomb threats. She did so using different email IDs, some of which were in Divij's name. According to police, she used fake email IDs, virtual private networks (VPNs), and the dark web to mask her identity and hide her location. "We were tracking her for a long time. She was very smart and didn't reveal her virtual trail, but due to a small mistake of hers, we tracked her and caught her from her house in Chennai," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sharad Singhal told news agency PTI. Her mails were meticulously timed to create panic, and usually came ahead of religious processions or visits by VIPs, police said. Rene sent 13 threat emails to Narendra Modi Stadium, four to Geneva Liberal School, three to Divya Jyoti School and one to BJ Medical College, police said. Besides, she also sent such mails to locations in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, Telangana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana, police said. Threat linked to Air India crash One of Rene Joshilda's threatening mails also involved the Air India plane crash of June 13, India's worst aviation disaster in decades. She had sent an e-mail to BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad, saying the crash was orchestrated and not an accident. "I think now you know power. Like we sent you mail yesterday we crashed the Air India plane with our former CM. We know the police would have thought that the plane crash was a hoax and ignored it," a mail to the medical college sent after the crash read. "Well done to our pilot. Now you know we are not playing. Now you know," the mail further said. All but one person aboard the AI-171 died in the deadly plane crash, and the total death toll stands at 260, including 19 non-passengers. The plane had crashed on the medical college's hostel building within seconds of take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. (With PTI inputs)
